WRDA Stormont and Westminster Update – May 2021

Summary

In May 2021, there have been a number of political developments surrounding three of the thematic issues highlighted within the Women’s Policy Group (WPG) Covid-19 Feminist Recovery Plan. This summary reflects Bills and oral questions answered by both the Stormont and Westminster Executives, alongside consultation responses from the Women’s Policy Group and briefing reports from WRDA.

The issue of women’s economic justice has featured prominently at Stormont this month, particularly during Question Time. The importance of debt advice services, mitigation payments, workers’ rights, and benefits featured prominently particularly during the Department of Communities Question Time. Similarly, oral questions at Westminster highlighted the importance of the £20 uplift payment in combatting economic inequalities and financial difficulties.

The issue of violence against women and girls featured prominently in both questions directed towards both the Home Secretary of the UK and Justice Minister. Legislation such as the Protection from Stalking Bill, the review of non-fatal strangulation, and the Gillan Review investigating sexual offences in Northern Ireland are crucial legislative instruments to combat gendered criminal offences.

The issue of reproductive health and access to abortion featured prominently this month in Sinead McLaughlin’s question to the Health Minister , and non-Executive Bills proposed by Clare Bailey and . The WPG’s consultation response to Paul Givan’s attempt to restrict abortion access is also included.

Courtney Girvin (WRDA volunteer) building upon the incredible work of previous WRDA volunteer Niamh Oddy Stormont

Bills – May 2021

Issue Proposed by Stage Comments Links to the feminist recovery plan Protection Naomi Committee Stage A Bill to provide protection from threatening or abusive Stalking is an inherently from Stalking Long- behaviour, and from stalking. gendered crime, with women Bill Minister for representing a disproportionate Justice The new legislation will have greater and more appropriate number of victims. Stalking penalties and protections from stalking behaviour compared to commonly happens within a current harassment legislation. The introduction of stalking context of domestic abuse and is protection orders (SPOs) will enable the police to intervene prior linked to elements of coercive to any conviction to address stalking behaviours before they control. become entrenched or escalate in severity so as to protect victims quickly when there is an immediate risk of harm. Link to information on the Bill here. The Bill is divided into three parts. Part 1 creates a new specific offence of stalking, and creates the offence of threatening and Link to the WPG Joint Evidence abusive behaviour, which can be triggered by a single incident. Submission to the Justice Part 2 provides for the introduction of stalking protection orders. Committee on the Protection Part 3 deals with the interpretation, commencement, and short from Stalking Bill is available title of the Bill. here.

Several members of the WPG have also presented oral evidence to the Justice Committee on the Bill. Rachel Powell and Elaine Crory (WRDA) both presented evidence on behalf of WRDA, the WPG and Raise Your Voice on Thursday 27th May which can be viewed here from 3:12:28. Non-Executive Bills – May 2021

Issue Proposed by Stage (as of date Comments Link to Feminist Recovery of writing) Plan Safe Access Clare Bailey Consultation This Bill aims to provide safe access to healthcare facilities including This would enhance the Zones Bill MLA, (Green carried forward buffer zones around reproductive healthcare facilities. ability of women and others (Public Health Party NI – from previous to access healthcare services and Well South mandate. without fear of harassment Being Bill) Belfast) and intimidation.

Link to information on the Bill can be found here. Severe Fetal Paul Givan Second Stage A Bill attempting to restrict access to abortion by amending the This would infringe upon the Impairment MLA, Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 to remove the bodily autonomy of women Abortion (DUP – ground for abortion in cases of severe non-fatal fetal disability. and other potential pregnant (Amendment) Lagan people, and violate the Bill Valley) There has been no public consultation for this Bill, and it should be reproductive justice principle noted that the Northern Ireland Office conducted a public of the right to not have a consultation when developing abortion law reform which resulted in child. the current 2020 legislation. Link to information on the Bill to here. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has stated that this Bill is incompatible with human rights. The NIHRC submission to the The WPG Joint Response to committee can be found here. the Bill can be found here.

Climate Clare Bailey Second Stage A Bill attempting to mitigate the effects of climate change in The move to a “Green Change Bill MLA, (Green Northern Ireland. The Bill seeks to establish a legally binding net- Economy” and more Party NI – zero carbon target for NI, establish an NI Climate Commissioner and environmentally sustainable South resultant Climate Office, achieve a climate sustainable economy by job market is reflected within Belfast) 2045, and guarantee existing climate and environmental the FRP. The effects of protections. climate change and its damaging effects are This Bill would declare a climate emergency until the threshold of disproportionately gendered the global temperature as defined by the Paris Agreement has been globally. met. Link to information on the Bill to here.

The WPG Key Briefing on Climate Justice can be found here. The WPG also responded to the DAERA Minister’s Climate Change Discussion document endorsing the Climate Change Bill instead, which can be found here.

Questions asked - tabled during May 2021

Issue Date Asked by: Notes Link to Feminist Recovery Plan Misogyny and 04/05/21 Philip McGuigan The Question: FRP seeks to address Sexism in Public (Sinn Fein – “Does the DFM agree that misogyny and sexism in public life are obstacles to participation in Life North Antrim) totally unacceptable and are a deterrent to women in public life.” public life which includes the To online abuse Michelle O’Neill, Recognition of the common experience of misogynistic comments disproportionately directed deputy First directed to many of the female MLAs including herself and Arlene towards women political and Minister Foster. All political parties must realise that misogynistic abuse public representatives. contributes to the reluctance of women to engage in public political life, which impacts the representativeness of the Executive and Link to full answer here Legislative bodies.

Must have zero tolerance to misogyny and any other discriminatory practices. Political leaders have a responsibility to lead and speak out against it whenever it is visible in society. Funding to 10/05/21 William The Question: Belfast Citywide Tribunals Belfast Citywide Humphrey (DUP “Will the Minister match the funding provided by service provides individuals Tribunal Service – North Belfast) to the Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service.” with free, confidential, and To independent advice; this is , The Minister stated that there is no reduction in the budget for essential in tackling women’s Minister for advice services including for appeals and tribunal representation. poverty, financial Communities Her department is investing £6.4 million this year into appeals and vulnerability, and the debt services. Funding is ringfenced for advice services, however, it is increasing demand as a result up to Belfast City Council is ultimately responsible for decisions on of the pandemic. how it allocates said funding. Link to full answer here Funding to 10/05/21 Kellie The Question: Advice sector is important in Belfast Citywide Armstrong “Deloitte report (2016) confirmed that a new funding model was tackling women’s poverty, Tribunal Service (Alliance – needed for the Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service. What actions have financial vulnerability, and – Deloitte Strangford) you taken to implement those recommendations, and ensure that the increasing demand as a Report To there is not a postcode lottery across Northern Ireland and that result of the pandemic. Deirdre Hargey, those recommendations will be aligned across all council areas?” Minister for Importance of Communities Minister recognises the importance of intersectionality (such as class intersectionality and how and where you live) in the creation of additional barriers to accessing class identity impacts access advice services, and the need to access such services. She commits and need for advice services. to working with Belfast City Council is ensuring any and all barriers to access are removed. Link to full answer here PIP (Personal 10/05/21 Liz Kimmins The Question: Importance of mitigation Independence (Sinn Fein – “How is the Minister ensuring those currently going through the payments continuing to fight Payments) Newry and appeals process are not suffering financially?” against accruing debt and Appeals Armagh) financial difficulty as a Hearings To Minister assures that mitigation payments are continuing for those protective measure. awaiting the outcome of the appeals process, encouraging those Deirdre Hargey, experiencing financial hardship to contact independent advice FRP emphasises the Minister for services. importance of extending such Communities measures to prevent against Backlog of hearings in part caused by suspension of face-to-face a ‘cliff-edge’ for when people hearings resultant from COVID-19. The department is rolling out must deal with the backlog of pilots in relation to telephone assessments and other virtual debt. assessments. Link to full answer here Universal Credit 10/05/21 Martina The Question: The FRP recognises that – Legacy Anderson (Sinn “Can the Minister give assurance that those being transferred from Universal Credit is one of the Claimants Fein – Foyle) legacy benefits to Universal Credit will have transitional key benefits and has a range To Deirdre protections?” of recommendations which Hargey, would ensure that it better Minister for The Minister asserted that while there are those who will be better supports claimants. Communities off financially from the move to Universal Credit, they are looking at transitional protections for those moving from legacy benefits. This Link to recommendations will play a part in the transitional assessment that her department is here looking at, details of what the transitional assessment will look like will be released soon. Link to full answer here Poverty 10/05/21 The Question: The FRP recognises the Alleviation (DUP – Foyle) “What does the Minister plan to do to tackle poverty levels – importance of poverty as a To Deirdre 400,000 people across NI are living in poverty.” key concern of economic Hargey, justice. Minister for The Minister recognised poverty has been exacerbated by the Communities pandemic. Minister is working on an anti-poverty strategy as part of Link to full answer here New Decade New Approach. Has designed a co-design group working with poverty experts and community organisations. Also established a departmental working group as poverty is not a single department issue.

This strategy will then open for public consultation, hoping for sign- off and approval in December. Social Housing 10/05/21 Maoliosa The Question: Having a strong social McHugh (Sinn “Could the Minister outline her plans for increasing social housing” housing system which can Fein – West meet the demands of those Tyrone) There are huge changes relating to revitalising the Housing who need it is an essential To Deirdre Executive, such as ensuring it deals with its historic debt issues. The aspect of fighting the Hargey, department will soon consult on a housing supply strategy, right to decommodification of Minister for buy and ring fencing. housing and removes Communities significant rent pressures off those most vulnerable in society.

Link to full answer here Economic 10/05/21 Gary Middleton The Question: The government economic Recovery Action (DUP – Foyle) “Can the Minister provide an update on the economic recovery recovery plan elucidates what Plan To , plan?” the NI government is Minister for the prioritising in contrast to the Economy The Minister secured an extra £286-288 million in 2021-22 to help FRP. deliver the plan. The attention to green The Minister has published the options consultation on a new energy energy and potentially green strategy as part of the green economy. The development of jobs is a shared theme of the additional upskilling and reskilling interventions is also under way. FRP. That is particularly important when we consider those who are still on furlough or still have their employment supported through the Link to full answer here self-employed scheme. Workers’ Rights: 10/05/21 The Question: The FRP highlights the New Deal New (Sinn Fein – “NDNA contains commitments on workers’ rights, including ways to importance of employment Approach Fermanagh and create decent jobs that give workers a meaningful voice and input protections for mothers and (NDNA) South Tyrone) into government policy development, how will she ensure that that fathers who will undoubtedly Commitment commitment is delivered on, in cooperation with trade unions and be affected by the Parental workers’ representatives.” Bereavement Bill.

The Minister has just signed the final draft of the Parental Further, the FRP recognises Bereavement leave Bill, an important piece of legislation which will the importance of trade give parents statutory rights during a difficult and sensitive time. unions and workers’ Further, workers’ rights will be implemented after this first aspect of representatives in protecting legislation. against exploitative practices. The WPG also responses to a consultation on work-life balance which can be found here. In addition, the WPG Key Briefing on Women’s Workers’ Rights can be found here.

Link to full answer here Truth and 17/05/21 Sinead Bradley The Question: The mother and baby Recovery for (SDLP – South “An update on the progress on the anticipated timeline for reporting institutions which existed in Victims of Down) on the truth and recovery design team who are charged with Northern Ireland and the Mother and To establishing the terms of reference for the victims centred around Republic of Ireland was an Baby Homes , the mother and baby homes.” inherently gendered abuse First Minster and trauma which was A panel of experts is being set up to engage with the victims so they reinforced by gendered can moderate it in a way that is truly co-designed. The First Minister stereotypes and assumptions hopes it will result in an inquiry that the victims want and need. such as fallen women.

The First Minister has had some preliminary discussion with church Victims and survivors, and and institutional leaders in relation to scope of an inquiry and access their families deserve the to documents and relevant data. The First Minister acknowledged truth of the institutional the importance of working with the Republic of Ireland to access abuse that occurred; future documents not currently within our jurisdiction to ensure a full truth generations deserve to be recovery can occur. free from the repetition of similar gendered violence.

Link to full answer here Telemedicine 18/05/21 Sinead The Question: Access to abortion services is and Abortion McLaughlin “What actions has the Minister taken to provide early medical an inherently gendered Access (SDLP – Foyle) abortion services in the Western Health and Social Services Trust?” experience. As Sinead To McLaughlin asserted to Robin Swann, The Minister asserts his department is not required to commission expect women and pregnant Health Minister abortion services. In recognition of the UK government introducing people to travel during a regulations from March 2020 the Health Department commenced pandemic to receive routine work to develop a commissioning model on service specification for healthcare is fundamentally abortion services to be delivered in Northern Ireland. This work was wrong and in contradiction to paused as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. their equality and human rights. The Western Health and Social Services Trust is currently recruiting to fill the vacant spot as far as the Minister is aware. Link to full answer here Non-fatal 24/05/21 Sinead Ennis The Question: Strangulation is high-risk Strangulation (Sinn Fein – “To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on the review of the law indicator in domestic abuse South Down) on non-fatal strangulation offences.” cases which result in To homicide but the offence is , Following the 2019 recommendation for the criminal justice routinely under-prosecuted Justice Minister inspector for NI that the department consider how to address and is often only charged as potential inadequacies in the law around strangulation, the common assault. department commissioned a review of non-fatal strangulation offences during the summer of 2020, the scope was extended to Strangulation is a gendered include the so-called rough sex defence. form of violence as women are more likely to be killed The department looked at other legislation and juridical from strangulation than men. developments locally and internationally. The review team is now finalising a report for public consultation on non-fatal strangulation Further, the WPG response to offences. The consultation will be launched in the coming weeks. the “Rough Sex” defence can be found here.

Link to full answer here

Serious Sexual 24/05/21 Daniel The Question: The Gillen Review Offences Cases McCrossan “To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on her plans to enhance investigated the law and (SDLP – West the existing protocol to expedite serious sexual offence cases procedures in serious sexual Tyrone) involving children under 13 years.” offences in Northern Ireland. To Naomi Long, The Minister is committed to implement the full programme of Sexual offences are Justice Minister reforms under the Gillen Review into law and to improving the inherently gendered crimes, experiences of victims and survivors of these horrendous offences and it is important to within the criminal justice system. recognise the intersectionality and She particularly recognises the vulnerability of victims who are increasing vulnerability of children, therefore, her department is establishing a cross- certain victims such as those departmental steering group to oversee and coordinate the full children under the age of 13. implementation of the Gillen Review recommendations specific to child victims. One element of this work is to ensure a permanent Link to full answer here and protocol to build upon the judge-led voluntary protocol to expedite to the Gillen Review here serious sexual offence cases involving children under 13.

Consultations

Issue Women’s Policy Group response (WPG) Link to Feminist Recovery plan PSNI The WPG would endorse the consultation response from member organisation Committee on the The FRP recognises the Consultation Administration of Justice (CAJ) to the PSNI public consultation on the equality impact assessment on importance of and Equality the temporary use of spit and bite guards. intersectionality and other Impact marginalised identities such Assessment on The WPG shares CAJ’s raised concerns on the adverse effects on vulnerable populations such as as those with disabilities. the temporary children and young people, and disabled people. Therefore, CAJ and the WPG recommend the use of Spit and discontinuation of spit and bite guards immediately. The FRP is committed to Bite Guards ensuring that discrimination, violence, and abuse against people who are disabled is stopped.

Read the full response here. Joint Evidence Many members of the WPG have been campaigning for access to abortion and reproductive justice for This Bill would infringe upon Submission to years, and it is extremely disheartening that there remains extremely limited access to abortion the bodily autonomy of the Health services in NI and further attempts to restrict such access. While this Bill is being considered women women and pregnant Committee and pregnant people are being forced to travel to access services during a global pandemic. people, and violate the Severe Fetal reproductive justice principle Impairment The UK and therefore NI is party to the European Convention of Human Rights, in cases where abortion of the right to not have a Private is lawful (as has been since the decriminalisation in October 2019) but restricted the European Court child. Members Bill found this to violate Articles 85 and 36. Further, international human rights frameworks such as CEDAW and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which the UK is party to, outlined the Read the full response here. importance of safe and legal abortion as a human rights concern.

Westminster

Bills May 2021

Issue Date Sponsored by Stage Notes Links to Feminist Recovery Plan Police, Crime 12/05/21 Robert Committee A Bill to make provision about the police and other This is a very broad Bill and sentencing Buckley, Stage (House emergency workers; to make provision about covering a range of topics Bill Ministry for of Commons) collaboration between authorities to prevent and reduce including gender and Justice serious violence; to make provision about the powers of sexual based violence. the police and other authorities for the purposes of However, the right to preventing, detecting, investigating or prosecuting crime protest has also been or investigating other matters; to make provision about essential in furthering the maintenance of public order; to make provision about women’s legislation. sentencing, detention, release, management and rehabilitation of offenders; etc. Read full details of the Bill This bill has been controversial as it is seen as an attack here. on the right to protest as is reflected in the second stage debate. It has also been highlighted that the bill deals with duties to collaborate and plan to prevent and reduce serious violence. Specifically, it places a legal duty on local authorities, police, criminal justice agencies, health authorities, fire and rescue services and others to collaborate through sharing data and intelligence with one another. The debate highlighted how important it is that the impact of violence by men against women, particularly domestic violence and sexual violence, controlling and coercive behaviour by men and the impact on the community are included in that strategy to reduce violence against women and girls. Northern 12/05/21 Brandon Second A Bill to make provision about Ministerial appointments, These new provisions Ireland Lewis, Reading extraordinary Assembly elections, the Ministerial Code of reform the Petition of (Ministers, Ministry for (House of Conduct and petitions of concern in Northern Ireland. Concern mechanism in Elections and Northern Commons) order to reduce its use Petitions of Ireland Office This Bill will deliver aspects of the New Decade, New (and return it to its Concern) Bill Approach Agreement which was agreed by the five main intended purpose which NI political parties in January 2020. The Bill is concerned was to ensure that all with the sustainability and transparency of the Northern sections of the community Ireland institutions. are protected).

Some key changes include requiring petitioners to come Previously the Petition of from more than one Northern Irish political party and Concern has been abused updating the code of conduct for Northern Ireland and used to block socially Ministers. progressive legislation such as equal marriage. Such reforms go some ways in ensuring one party cannot override the democratic process.

Read full details of the Bill here.

Questions asked tabled during May 2021

Issue Date Proposed by Notes Link to Feminist Recovery Plan Increases in 17/05/21 Hannah Bardell The Question: The FRP highlighted the Standard MP (SNP – “What recent assessment has the Minister and government made of importance of the £20 uplift Allowances for Livingston) and the potential effect of removing the £20 uplift to universal credit on as a matter of economic Universal Credit Allan Dorans recipients of that benefit? Will the Minister extend the uplift to justice and emphasized the and Tax Credits MP (SNP – Ayr, other legacy benefits?” importance of this uplift Carrick and being extended to legacy Cumnock) In March, the government announced the extension of the £20 a benefits. To week uplift to the recipients of Universal Credit and Tax Credits for a Will Quince, the further six months. The focus now is on supporting people back to The government’s insistence Parliamentary work. on the move as a temporary Under-Secretary measure and supporting of State for The position of the Work and Pensions Committee and 100 people back to work is Work and Conservative MPs in the Tory Reform group and one nation caucus ignorant of the reality of Pensions. are urging the government to make the £20 uplift permanent. increasing in-work poverty.

Read the full debate here. Violence 17/05/21 Wera Hobhouse The Question: Violence in the public space, Against Women MP (Liberal “Following the murder of Sarah Everard and the outpouring of domestic violence and rape Democrat – solidarity calling for an end to all violence against women and girls, is are inherently gendered Bath) it not time for the government to support the Our Streets Now crimes, with women To campaign, which calls for public sexual harassment to be made a representing a Priti Patel, specific criminal offence?” disproportionate number of Secretary of victims. State for the The Minister supports an institutional overhaul to the government’s Home response to violence against women and girls. She asserts that no The death of Sarah Everard Department. one should feel unsafe within the public space; believes the 2021 and solidarity from women Domestic Abuse Act will strength protections and have harsher across the country illustrates penalties; recognises the insensitivity of the criminal justice system how widespread misogyny to the crime of sexual violence and rape and therefore promises a and gendered violence is comprehensive rape review. within the UK.

The debate highlighted that rape convictions have fallen to an all- Read the full debate here. time low, with just 1 in every 100 reported rape cases making it in front of a court.